The Azzurri were strong.
The Italy U-20 football team advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 with a 3-1 victory over Colombia at the Estadio San Juan del Vicentenario in San Juan, Argentina, on Thursday.
The Azzurri benefited from a brilliant partnership between Cesare Cassaday and Tommaso Baldanzi. Francesco Esposito’s wedge was also a standout, with Baldanzi having the best performance with a goal and two assists.
This was Italy’s third consecutive quarter-final appearance, having reached the last four in 2017, 2019 and this tournament. Colombia, looking to reach the top four for the first time in 20 years since 2003, had to settle for a second consecutive quarter-final.
Italy’s early rush was strong. They scored two goals in the first half after a fierce battle with Colombia. The first goal came in the ninth minute when Cassaday headed in a corner kick from Baldanzi. Cassaday assisted Baldanzi on the second goal. In the 38th minute, Casaday’s headed pass was converted by Valdanzi to open the scoring for Colombia.
The second half was more of the same with Italy’s early attack. In the 46th minute, Baldanzi broke down the right flank and Esposito finished with a backheel to make it 3-0. The game was effectively tipped.
Of course, Colombia hit back immediately. In the 49th minute, Johan Torres pulled a goal back for Italy, but the Italian defence stood firm and there was no further news of a Colombian goal 스포츠토토.
For 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time, Italy’s shield remained impenetrable to Colombia’s spear. Goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanças made a series of saves to ensure that no further goals were scored. In the end, Italy held on to defeat Colombia and reach the quarter-finals.
The Italians will now play the winner of the South Korea-Nigeria match for a place in the final.